Joni4TA

Unless you are Bill Clinton who apparently never inhaled from that joint nor had sexual relations with "that" woman, I KNOW I am WRONG - DEAD WRONG FOR SMOKING. I shouldn't do it, I know this, I admitted it in my post by saying it is a terrible habit and expressing how I would like to quit again. I don't appreciate you calling me names for it ustbeeowl. Very Scout-like, your comment! NOT!

Merlyn says: "None of the scholarships that the NAACP handles seems to have race as a requirement" ------------------------ Exactly my point - the BSA isn't explicit on its application that they will not accept known or avowed homosexuals as members either, are they? ------------------------ I believe by the stances and aims/missions of each organization one can imply; the organization for Advancement of Colored People would probably not award a 100% Caucasian student a scholarship. And because of the BSA's policy on avowed homosexuals, it seems they will remove a leader who makes him/herself a known, or is an avowed homosexual. I don't see the difference. In either case, it would still be discrimination. Either way, it is acceptable for both these private organizations to do this, and both processes of discrimination are protected by law. One doesn't need to agree nor support either type of discrimination in my scenario, be it race or sexual preference but again, it is what it is..... plain as day, discrimination. As individuals, we must make a decision as to what organizations we align ourselves with or are members of. To me, it comes down to personal choice. If I don't agree that all Christians are infidels and Israel must be destroyed, I don't affiliate myself with Al-Queda. If I don't agree that all but white people are the scum of the earth, I don't join the Aryan Brotherhood, the ANP or the KKK. If I believe in the right of a woman to abort her fetus, I don't jump into the Right to Life campaign. If I believe homosexuals should be allowed to be youth leaders, I don't go looking to secure, nor keep rechartering my membership in the BSA. I do believe it is as simple as "Like it or Leave it" because we all have a choice in our membership with ANY private organization. I also believe it's counter-productive and hypocritical to be or stay a member of an organization where you don't agree with their policies (MAJOR ones). I find it especially abhorrent for those to keep their membership with an organization, hoping to change its policies by subversion from within.

I am annoyed, and irritated, and beyond posting right now! I called to see how this boy's packet was moving along - they can't seem to even LOCATE IT!!!!! It's been a month! This boy is waiting and waiting and waiting... and I am starting to fume...

No, "just go join Spiral Scouts" is probably not YET a viable alternative to the BSA. Maybe in another 50-60 years?? I've never heard of them so this thread is interesting. Wingnut has listed organizations-a-plenty though. Thanks Wingnut! For anyone that thinks there isn't discrimination going in many private organizations, you really are naive. They can discriminate, because they are private, and they are protected by law. If private discrimination against men were disallowed, it would be the end of groups such as the Y.W.C.A., the NOW, any lesbian organization, and large parts of the women's liberation movement itself. It might even be the end of separate mens and womens public bathrooms for crying out loud! By the same token if ALL racial discrimination were outlawed, the NAACP would have to, by law, award scholarships to white students, and the KKK would have to accept Jewish and African-American people to their membership! Asinine! There are plenty of private organizations that discriminate when it comes to membership. It is what it is.

I smoke! I smoke on campouts! I have NEVER smoked in front of any of the youth at a Troop function! (This means I have had to take some REALLY long walks/drives sometimes.) It's a terrible habit and sets a really bad example for all youth. I'll quit (again) someday. In the meantime I'm still puffing away - FAR AWAY from the boys...

comply support comply support comply support.... Wow LongHaul, I think it's a shame you are so adamant that I didn't agree to support the BSA policies, but merely comply when I signed my application for BSA membership. Seems to me you weren't present, and you have no idea who I made my agreement with or in what context. Actually, it was an intra-personal agreement I made to support BSA policies whole-heartedly. I never said it was written on the application, I just said when I signed that application, I made the agreement. Besides that, I am not the kind of person who can comply with something I don't support in an organization where I have free will to come and go as I please. No one forces me to be a volunteer leader with the BSA. So as I said, if there were a policy that bothered me so much that I wanted it to change, I would no longer be a member. It's cut and dry for me.

I wasn't all that impressed with our region's website. Maybe because I am mainly a unit level and sometimes district level volunteer and so the things on the region website do not apply to me.

haha - Holy Cow! This thread went from "do you agree 100% with BSA policies?" to debate on whether or not Jesus, Lucifer or God exists or are all myths, or whatever! Yikes! I am totally not getting into that latter hijack, but to the first part, I agree with Gonzo1 - I may not agree with every single BSA policy 100%, but when I signed that application for membership, I agreed to SUPPORT the policies of the BSA no less than 100%. When there's a BSA policy that bothers me "THAT MUCH", that I think it should change - that's the day I cease being a member. It's not right for me to try and convince an entire PRIVATE organization to change their policies. I have a choice to be part of the organization and support it whole-heartedly - or ....... not....

In my case, I thought maybe our Troop committee met and discussed it at a meeting when I wasn't even there. I just took over for advancements in late August/Early Sept. so I figured whatever approval was secured, occurred before I was more deeply involved. Come to find out in talking to our CC last night - they knew nothing more than I did, so honestly I am not sure WHAT form of approval this particular kid has to have started his Eagle Project other than the approval of the benefiting agency, and the Scoutmaster (who happens to be the boy's father). Needless to say I am going to find out now! Something tells me he didn't make sure it went to District either, but I just read that eagle packet and that's exactly where the approval was supposed to go after Troop committee, and BEFORE work was begun - so we'll see! Anyway, thanks all for sparking my interest in this issue, by posting to this thread!

Ok, yes, that was it! It's not case-sensitive to POST, but your username must be case-sensitive to EDIT! GOT IT!

That could maybe be the problem (case-sensitive), I am going to test it out now! Test test test(This message has been edited by Joni4TA)

We all need to get back to making Eagle something for the boys to work for, not just a tenure advancement. AMEN!

Hi Frank!

I guess it's up to the individual and where their taste lies, whether they wear 4-6 knots or 12. How many knots do I currently have? No one has ever put me in for a knot. All these years (and still counting).. not one! I refuse to put myself in for a knot - I just won't do it. My husband was military for 26yrs, and we moved around a lot. For some reason I want to believe that I was just never any one place long enough for anyone else to notice my contributions. **shrug**How many of those have I earned do I wear? NONE

Thank you for bringing this post forward. I knew an Eagle candidate was supposed to get Troop Committee Approval before STARTING their Eagle project. So now I am wondering why we have a Scout who recently announced when and where others should show up, to start actual work on his Eagle project. I thought I was missing something.... Hmmmmm.....

Still can't edit my own posts... I just posted, and went back to edit it - no can do! It tells me I am not authorized to edit my own message CUTE! Anyone else still?

Ditto others You could ask about the return of any pre-paid dues for the future 6 months, but the rest of the money belongs to Troop ABC which you are leaving/have left. By the way, the trailer belongs to the Chartered Org, Troop ABC, so you donated the $1,000/Trailer to the Chartered Org, whomever that may be. If the current members decide to leave Troop ABC and form Troop XYZ, XYZ will have to also leave that trailer with the Chartered Org, and remaining Troop ABC. I am sorry this is happening. We went through a Troo split about a year and a half ago and there is still tension between the units, mainly the adults though.

I have issues with the way it appears some boys get waved on through rank, POR's, etc. I have been involved in a couple different handfuls of Troops, where there will be a Scout or two (or three) that's been pushed through to Eagle by the time he's 14 or 15 yet he retains almost nothing, can't teach any of the lower-ranking Scouts a darn thing, and acts like a bufoon at nearly every Troop function (if he even shows up after pinning on that Eagle rank). I've see where the SPL or SM assigns POR's and then there's no follow up or holding that Scout accountable for his responsibilities, not during his tenure, and not ever at a SMC or BOR. It IS upsetting! As far as what should have been done differently? There are many things that should have been done differently from the beginning. Some Troops just don't have the proper organization set up nor the support to manage all aspects of Scouting and aren't run in any kind of order. Others Troops are simply lacking the Adult knowledge and training to run effectively. And then you have yet others where it's more like a 3rd Year Webelos program, not boy-led, boy-run at all, and POR's, Merit Badges and Rank are just handed out like they are necessary sustenance or something. I agree with GW and the "Hey my kid is special" mentality. It seems like many folks these days want their kids to be involved in something good, and want to see "results" from the kids' involvement, but don't seem to require their children put forth too much effort to get those results. Effort = showing up and doing your job as a Scout. It's nice to have a Bugler in the Troop - too bad he hasn't been on ANY camping trip in months, hasn't participated in any fundraisers, community service projects, and has extremely poor attendance for regular Troop meetings. He's a life Scout, has 15 days left in his participation requirement and 16 days left in his POR requirement for Eagle. And I'll just bet he won't get dinged for Scout spirit or anything else when the time comes. I can attest to the fact that my own son has been given the pass at some things in Scouting that I would have unequivocally failed him on, Scout Spirit being the very first one, and his POR being the next in line. I also agree about consistency, and holding the Unit as a whole to a certain set of standards - clearly advertised! And follow through with consequences when those standards are not met, whatever the case may be.

I am glad they came up with something at the PLC. We just finished our Popcorn fundraiser, but as always we need more money Some boys were raring to go and sell chocolate bars before Thanksgiving and Christmas, and others were aprehensive. Looks like we've come to a compromise - we are waiting until all monies are in and commission is paid from Council for the popcorn. Then we're off into chocolate land! Wish us luck!

Well, at least JT's "1st summer back" wasn't as hot & humid as they usually are. They say every year the Spurs win South TX get a boatload of rain - how about that! I sure don't want them to lose, but ya know.... 48 inches of rain was a bit much this season! And we still have til Dec 31 to keep track. I've looked at the CAC website. It is nice! Welcome JT to our neck of the woods

I might feel differently if a student was able to go to the school nurse and ASK for a condom (male or female) and receive one. And then the school can do condom fundraisers, just like they do for theater arts, football, cheerleading and every other thing under the sun! I still don't believe there should be public/government funding of contraceptives in public school though. However, my initial thought about the phrase "handing out of contraceptives" was that students were being given them at random, whether they were asked for or not - sort of like a "free sample pack" from a manufacturer. I do not feel that a public school is the appropriate place for that.

Here in TX, High School Football is sort of like a secondary religion! Yes, I expect my son to hear from the coach that he needs to make 100% of every single practice and game. If not, the coach has all the latitude in the world to say, "YOU DO NOT GET TO PLAY IN THE GAME IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP 100% FOR EVERY PRACTICE, AND YOU'LL RUN LAPS IF YOU DON"T SHOW UP FOR A GAME!" That would be called a consequence for actions - don't come - don't play or you'll run your rear off. And so my son has a choice to make on the days when he has practice (Monday through Friday) and any game days. My son chose to go on a week-long camping trip during 2-a-days practices at the beginning of the season. As a result, he was put on the B Team, missed Football pictures with the team, and got whatever was left over in the uniform department. But he made his choice. I don't expect Scouting to be so rigid, but if that's what some people want to impose on their Troops, they certainly have the freedom to do so. I would not be a member of that Troop, and neither would my son. It should be noted that there is no BSA policy on attendance. I believe 100% is too strict and unrealistic.

How in the world can you prove you were a Second Class Scout for like one year in 1969 BTW? It wasn't necessary for me to have included youth - my husband rated the 15 without the youth time and I had no way to prove it, so left it out. For those of you that have them, how important is your pin to you? Is it "just a matter of filling out the form and buying the pin. What''s the point?" Or do you actually CARE that you have, rate, and wear the pin? (if you wear it)

packsaddle! That's one big O-U-C-H to me! And here we thought we were roughing it with generic double rolls that supposedly break down better in a septic tank, instead of my preference, Charmin Plus with Aloe, E and Lotion!

I like Dizzy ona cliff's idea - Tiger Cub Elective #49 - Visit a government office such as the mayor's office, the state capitol building, or a courthouse Visit the local police station or have a police officer come to your meeting to talk about the DARE program, driving safety, safety belts, drinking and driving and the effects of alcohol, and maybe how one shouldn't get in a car with someone they know has been drinking alcohol? Perhaps as you get to know the boy and his family (at the Bday party/next meeting) you'll have a more clear understanding of what's going on and will be clearer on how to address the situation. Letting your CM and CC know can't hurt either. Maybe they have some suggestions.